Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt

Marsa Shouna

Marsa Shouna is a sheltered shore-entry bay north of Marsa Alam city, framed by two reef walls and a sandy lagoon with extensive seagrass beds. The site is best known as a feeding ground for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and dugongs (Dugong dugon), both grazing on the Halophila and Halodule seagrasses; sightings of either are common from shallow snorkelling depth. The reef walls drop to about 25 metres and are decorated with hard coral cover, anthias clouds, butterflyfish and the occasional crocodilefish on the sand. Resident species include lionfish, peacock groupers, masked pufferfish and a colony of garden eels at 18 metres on the northern wall. Currents are very mild, making this a popular shore dive and snorkelling site. The bay is partly protected as part of the Wadi El Gemal area. Visibility 15–20 metres, dropping when wind stirs up the lagoon.